2016 CMA Awards Nominees: The Surprises and the Snubs

Nominees for the 2016 CMA Awards were revealed Wednesday (Aug. 31) morning -- and there were likely some inclusions (and exclusions) that threw country music fans for a loop. As with any awards show, this year's CMA nods included a few surprises ... and a few snubs.

Carrie Underwood's Entertainer of the Year nomination was a welcome surprise -- not so much the fact that she's nominated (she's earned it!), but because it's her very first nom in the category (seriously!). Seeing Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton among the names of those with the most nominations this year was a happy surprise as well.

The 2016 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC on Nov. 2 at 8PM ET. Brad Paisley and Underwood will return as co-hosts, and performers and presenters will be announced in the coming months.